This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

The Prime Minister has condemned the “sickening” scenes that have been witnessed and called the violence “criminality - pure and simple” which needs to be confronted and defeated.

Mr Cameron praised the great bravery shown by police and extended huge sympathy to those affected.

Following a meeting of COBR(A), the emergency planning committee, Mr Cameron announced that all police leave has been cancelled and tonight there will be 16,000 police on the streets with reinforcements from across the country.

There have been 450 arrests over the last three days and the PM said he was determined that justice will be done and those involved will “feel the full force of the law”.

We will make sure that court procedures and processes are speeded up and people should expect to see more, many more arrests in the days to come. I am determined, the government is determined that justice will be done and these people will see the consequences of their actions.

And I have this very clear message to those people who are responsible for this wrongdoing and criminality: you will feel the full force of the law and if you are old enough to commit these crimes you are old enough to face the punishment. And to these people I would say this: you are not only wrecking the lives of others, you’re not only wrecking your own communities; you are potentially wrecking your own life too.”

Mr Cameron also announced that Parliament will be recalled on Thursday for one day to discuss the developments.